The deadline to activate the Universal Account Number (UAN) and link your bank account with Aadhaar to avail the benefits under the EPFO’s Employment Linked Incentive (ELI) Scheme is February 15, 2025.“Please refer to the circulars mentioned under references. In this connection, the competent authority has granted an extension of the timeline for UAN activation and Aadhaar seeding in bank accounts till 15th February 2025,” the Ministry of Labour and Employment said in an EPFO circular dated February 2, 2025.
What is UAN?
The Universal Activation Number (UAN) is an important 12-digit identifier for managing provident fund accounts. It provides a unified platform for tracking funds, accessing them, and streamlining financial transactions for employees.
Also read: Savings account interest rate after RBI’s repo rate cut: Quick comparison of latest interest rate on HDFC, SBI, ICICI, PNB savings account
Importance of UAN activation
After an employee’s UAN is activated, they can easily access EPFO’s extensive online services, which include managing their provident fund (PF) accounts, viewing and downloading PF passbooks, submitting online claims for withdrawals, advances, or transfers, updating personal information, and monitoring claims in real time.
What is an Employment Linked Incentive (ELI) Scheme?
The ELI Scheme is a government programme designed to increase the number of jobs created in the formal sector by offering financial incentives to employers and new hires.
The central government introduced three ELI schemes (A, B, and C) during the Union Budget 2024. The scheme benefits are proposed to be disbursed through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to the beneficiary’s bank account, provided it is linked to Aadhaar.
Components:
Scheme A: direct financial assistance (one-month salary) to new employees in the form of instalments
Scheme B: Incentives for employers in the manufacturing sector who hire new employees
Scheme C: Support for employers across all sectors who create additional jobs
How to activate EPF UAN through Aadhaar-based OTP
According to a PIB release on November 21, 2024, employees can complete the activation process using an Aadhaar-based OTP (One-Time Password). Here are some simple steps to activate UAN.
Step 1: Visit EPFO member portal
Step 2: Click on the “Activate UAN” link under “Important Links”
Step 3: Enter UAN, Aadhaar number, name, DOB, and Aadhaar-linked mobile number
Step 4: Employees should ensure their mobile number is Aadhaar-linked to access the full range of EPFO’s digital services
Step 5: Agree to Aadhaar OTP verification
Step 6: Click “Get Authorization PIN” to receive an OTP on your Aadhaar-linked mobile number
Step 7: Enter the OTP to complete the activation
A password will be sent to your registered mobile number upon successful activation.
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